Culinary customs from around the world – the other face of White Dinner Sofia

It is said that the traveller gets to know foreign lands best only after he has tasted their local cuisine ! And on 27.07.2017. you won’t need to stash your passport in your bag, because the culinary journey will be among you!

Let’s turn the centre of Sofia into an international culinary capital. Just bring your friend Massimo – the Italian who has filled his picnic basket with delicious mozzarella, prosciutto and homemade pasta. Francois from the third floor office can bring the classic French nougat with a bottle of intoxicating wine, and Julio from Spain will finally have no excuse not to prepare his famous seafood paella !

Unleash your imagination and creativity in the most unconventional environment possible – somewhere in the city, outdoors! Join the Dinner in White experience and get to know your friends and colleagues better. Prepare everything you need for the perfect dinner : bring tables, chairs, tablecloths, food and be part of the event !

Here are some of the most interesting features about eating in different parts of the world, what will we see of them at the unique flashmob in white ?

Portugal

Chefs are held in high esteem in Portugal, which is why it’s a sign of disrespect to ask for salt or pepper if it’s not on your table. If you ask for any kind of seasoning, it offends the chef because it comes out that he didn’t handle the dish well.

France

The French consider it extremely rude to keep your hands on the table while at the table. And bread should always be torn into small pieces before eating, as biting off a slice of bread is impolite.

Germany

If you happen to be visiting Germans, be sure to wait for your hosts to tell you exactly where to sit before you do so. Wait for the host to come to the table and then start eating. Never put your elbows on the table.

Japan

The dining etiquette in Japan is very interesting and includes a number of rules. First of all, never transfer food to someone using chopsticks, as this is associated with a custom carried out during funerals in the Land of the Rising Sun and would be embarrassing to say the least. There is a special etiquette on how to use the wands, which includes many things, but the main one is that you should not point or wave them at other people.

Saudi Arabia

Eating rules in Saudi Arabia, as elsewhere in the Middle East, are closely linked to the principles of Islam. There it is not considered unusual for people to sit on cushions on the floor while eating, or to have separate eating areas.

If there is no cutlery, don’t ask for any because it means you have to eat by hand. It is especially important that this be the right hand, as the left is considered impure and should be kept away from the table.

Ethiopia

Food in Ethiopia is usually served on one plate and without utensils. It is considered wasteful for each person to have a separate plate. It is also important that no one eats more than their fair share. Ethiopians always leave the local dishes for last.

USA

In case someone asks you for salt and it goes along with another condiment, be sure to pass both.

Russia

In Russia, they put their wrists on the edge of the table, not in their laps. Vodka is one of Russia’s iconic symbols, so there are a few important things about it too. First of all, never dilute it. Vodka is often used for toasting, not just drinking. When the bottle is empty, always leave it on the ground, not on the table.